VU Track and Field continue to roll at Indiana Little State Championships

MARION, Ind. – The No. 19-ranked VU Men's and No. 25-ranked VU Women's Track and Field teams hit the road this past weekend for a strong meet at the 118th Annual Little State Championships hosted by Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion Friday and Saturday.

The VU men's team had several big performances on the track this weekend, led off by freshman Isaac Stanford (Flora, Ill.) who took the top spot in the 1500 meters with a time of 3:55.14.

Stanford was joined in the 1500 by sophomore Mathew Keitany (Kenya) who placed fourth with a time of 3:59.39 before taking the top spot in the 3000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:23.97.

Keitany and Stanford then teamed up with sophomore Trent Faulkner (Wheatland, Ind.) and freshman Desroy Jordan (Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) in the 4x800 relay with the Blue and Gold team placing third with a time of 7:50.29.

Jordan also held his own in the 200-meter sprint, placing second with a time of 21.74 seconds.

Freshman Justin Emmanuel (Jamaica) also had a good showing in the 100-meter sprint, crossing the line at 10.60 seconds and placing second overall.

Sophomores Ian Boit (Kimilili, Kenya) and Ernest Momodu (Indianapolis, Ind.) closed out the VU weekend on the track with the pair taking part in the 10,000-meter race. Boit placed fourth at 32:16.22 and Momodu finished sixth at 32:32.94.

The VU men's team placed sixth out of 15 teams, ending with 60 points overall.

"Coach Steigenga's distance crew carried the team to a sixth-place finish, really demonstrating what it means to compete as a team," VU Head Track and Field Coach Marty Rogier said. "Isaac and Mathew accounted for more than half of our 60 points. They both ran three hard races and were just so competitive each time they stepped on the track. Running three hard races in two days really showed their versatility and durability. They both have a very bright future in this sport."

"On Thursday, the 4x800 team moved up to third overall in program history," VU Assistant Track and Field Coach Tyler Steigenga said. "We were hoping to be able to improve on our national ranking and set the school record, but it proved difficult in the 23 mph winds. Fortunately, Friday was ideal conditions for distance running."

"Isaac and Trent got the second day started in the 800 with some great performances," Steigenga added. "Trent finished just off his PR and Isaac ran 1.5 seconds faster than his, finishing fourth. He was even with the leaders with 50 meters to go but fell back before the finish. Trent also doubled back later with a PR in the 400. Ian and Ernest both ran their second 10,000m race after qualifying four weeks ago. Each of them improved as Ian came away with a 20 second PR. Mathew ran an impressive race in the steeple. He led from the start and beat the rest of the field by 26 seconds. His time was the third best in the NJCAA this year."

"In the men's 1500, both Mathew and Isaac were in the fast heat and looking to win, coming off some great performances earlier in the day," Steigenga said. "Isaac came away with the win, running a 59 second last lap. Mathew had a solid race as well as he was able to kick to the finish for fourth place."

"Reed was the last one to compete Friday night," Steigenga added. "This was his first outdoor race of the year as he was unable to run for five weeks after the Indoor season due to an injury. All of the elliptical training Reed has done paid off as he was able to run the race at his PR pace and then speed up in the last 200 meters to run six seconds faster than he did during the Indoor season."

The VU women's team was led in the pole vault by freshman Ysnaira Dos Santos Vieira (Brazil) who finished second after clearing 3.40 meters.

Freshman Haley Kohlhouse (Bruceville, Ind.) had a good weekend as well, setting two new PRs after setting a time of 28.33 in the 200 meters and 1:03.52 in the 400 meters.

Sophomore Brittany Page (Freelandville, Ind.) posted a time of 2:36.14 in the 800 meters and 5:16.31 in the 1500 meters. Page finished just ahead of fellow sophomore Hope Laughlin (Olney, Ill.) in the 1500. Laughlin crossed the line with a time of 5:24.14.

The VU women's team finished the meet in 13th place overall with eight points.

"On the women's side, Ysnaira got our only points competing in very windy conditions," Rogier added. "The wind took out several of the top jumpers, so she did well to put together enough good jumps to survive for second."

"Haley had a nice effort, earning two personal bests," Rogier said. "I think she is starting to learn how to race so I believe she will continue to drop her times."

"In the 1500, Brittany and Hope ran in the same heat," Steigenga said. "Brittany ran near the front and came away with a six second PR and Hope was just off her PR, but ran her fastest time of the season."

The Vincennes track and field teams will continue their run to the NJCAA Outdoor National Championships this coming weekend when VU heads back to Terre Haute to face-off against Indiana State University Saturday, April 29.

"Overall, there were a lot of impressive performances from the team," Steigenga added. "All of the distance runners came away with a PR. There's a lot to be proud of as we look to get a few more qualifiers and improve on some already good performances."

MEET RESULTS

TEAM RESULTS

VU Men – 6, 60 points

VU Women – 13, 8 points

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

MEN'S RESULTS

100m

Justin Emmanuel – 2, 10.60

200m

Desroy Jordan – 2, 21.74

800m

Isaac Stanford – 4, 1:52.63

1500m

Isaac Stanford – 1, 3:55.14

Mathew Keitany – 4, 3:59.39

10,000m

Ian Boit – 4, 32:16.22

Ernest Momodu – 6, 32:32.94

3000m Steeplechase

Mathew Keitany – 1, 9:23.97

4x800

VU (Faulkner, Jordan, Keitany, Stanford) – 3, 7:50.29

WOMEN'S RESULTS

200m

Haley Kohlhouse – 22, 28.33

400m

Haley Kohlhouse – 21, 1:03.52

800m

Brittany Page – 31, 2:36.14

1500m

Brittany Page – 27, 5:16.31

Hope Laughlin – 31, 5:24.14

Pole Vault

Ysnaira Dos Santos Vieira – 2, 3.40m